Just Take My Heart - Mary Higgins Clark [72]
Judge Stevens came out and formally announced what everybody already knew. “Counsel, fifteen minutes ago I received a note from the jury indicating they have reached a verdict.” He turned to the sheriff's officer and said, “Bring in the jury.”
As the jurors filed back in, everyone in the courtroom looked at them, seeking some hint of what their decision was.
Judge Stevens addressed juror number one, Stuart Harvey. "Mr . Harvey, would you please rise? Has the jury reached verdicts in this case?
“Yes, we have, Your Honor.”
“And are the verdicts unanimous?”
“Yes, they are, Your Honor.”
The courtroom was absolutely silent.
Judge Stevens looked at Gregg. “The defendant will rise.”
His face impassive, Gregg Aldrich and the Moores stood up.
Judge Stevens asked, “On count one, which charged burglary. Is your verdict guilty or not guilty?”
“Guilty, Your Honor.”
There was a collective gasp in the courtroom. If he's guilty o going into her home, then we've got him on everything, Emily thought. This is all or nothing.
“On count two, murder, is your verdict guilty or not guilty?”
“Guilty, Your Honor.”
“No . . . no . . .” Katie Aldrich jumped up from her seat next to Alice Mills and before anyone could stop her, ran around the railing and threw her arms around her father.
Judge Stevens looked at her, motioned gently for her to return to her seat, waited as she obeyed, then turned back to the foreman. “On count three, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, is your verdict guilty or not guilty?”
“Guilty, Your Honor.”
As Emily watched, Gregg Aldrich turned and tried to comfort his sobbing daughter. Over the buzz in the courtroom she could hear him say, “Katie, it's all right. It's only the first round. I promise you that.”
Judge Stevens, in a firm but sympathetic tone, looked at Katie and said, “Ms. Aldrich, I must ask that you compose yourself as we finish these proceedings.”
Katie cupped her hands over her mouth and buried her face in Alice's shoulder.
“Mr. Moore, do you wish to have the jury polled?” Judge Stevens asked.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, your foreman has announced that you have found the defendant guilty on all counts,” the judge said. “As your name is called, please indicate how you voted, guilty or not guilty.”
“Guilt.”
“Guilty.”
“Guilty.” . . . “Guilty.” . . . “Guilty.” . . .
Two of the women jurors had tears running down their cheeks as they responded.
Gregg Aldrich, his face deathly pale, shook his head in denial as the final juror echoed the word that had condemned him.
His tone now brisk, Judge Stevens formally confirmed that the verdict was unanimous. He ordered that the sheriffs officer go into the jury room with the foreman, bring out the evidence, and return it to the attorneys.
When they emerged a minute later from the jury room, Emil quickly reviewed the state's exhibits and Richard Moore the defense exhibits. Both indicated that they had everything back.
For the last time, the judge addressed the jury. “Ladies and gen?tlemen, with the return of your verdicts, your service in this case is complete. On behalf of the judiciary and everyone connected with this case, I want to thank you very much. You have been most atten?tive. I instruct you that under our rules of court, no one connected with this case may engage in any conversation with you about your deliberations in this case or your role in the outcome. I also caution you about speaking to other people about your deliberations. Do not say anything that you would not be willing to repeat in the presence of the other jurors. Again, thank you. You are dismissed.”
As the jurors stood up to leave, Alice Mills sprang to her feet and shouted, "I don't thank you. You have it wrong, all of you. My daugh?ter was shot and left on the floor to die, but her murderer is not in this courtroom. Gregg, my son-in-law, is innocent. He didn't do it.'
Enraged, Alice pointed her finger at Emily. “Your witness is a liar and you know it. I saw that in your face yesterday. And don't you deny it. You